Indian Army knocked out of international drill after main and reserve T-90 main battle tanks develop snags

Following the breakdown of both the tanks, the Indian squad could not complete the race and was disqualified.

India decided to field Russian designed T-90 instead of the indigenous Arjun tank (File photo)

New Delhi :

In a major embarrassment, the Indian Army has been knocked out of the high-profile international tank biathlon after both the main and reserve T-90 main battle tanks developed mechanical problems. The high-profile international tank biathlon is taking place at Alabino ranges in the Moscow region of Russia.

Following the breakdown of both the tanks, the Indian squad could not complete the race and was disqualified. Indian Army's tank crews were seen to be strong challengers to win the competition but this development has dashed all hopes to ground.

From among the other countries participating in the event, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and China have now entered the final round of the event.

Russia and Kazakhstan participated with T-72B3 tanks, Belarus with a modernised T-72, and China with the home-grown Type 96B. India had decided to field its top of the line Russian designed T-90 Main Battle Tank instead of the indigenous Arjun tank which was widely expected to participate in the games this time.

A total of 19 teams participated in the exercises with the top four entering the final. In the past, India had participated in these games using T-72 tanks. The Army was at disadvantage using these tanks and was keen to field its best tanks and best crews. Consequently, two state-of-the-art T-90s were shipped across to Russia for these games.